How To Drive A Manual Gear Vehicle

Before attempting to teach or instruct a student how to drive, firstly we have to introduce him or her a few important parts of the car.

Therefore, explain to the students the followings:

1) Steering. It controls the wheels. The best manner is to place your hands in what is termed as “ten and two” position. At no time must your hands be placed below the lower half of the steering. Also do not criss-cross your hands.

2) The Horn. In most cars, the horn is normally situated in the middle of the steering. In some cases, there are two “horn” knobs placed at the side of the steering itself. Some Continental cars will also have the horn button on the steering levers.

3) The Indicators or Signals. The indicators or signals are either on the left side or right side of the steering stalk. Pushing it, upwards indicates turning left and pushing it downwards indicates turning right.

4) The Rear View Mirror, The Left and Right Side Mirror. The rear view mirror is placed in front of the driver’s forehead. The left and right side view mirrors are placed on the left and right side of the car.

The driver has to adjust all three mirrors to enable him to see the back of the car clearly.

5) The Gears. Gears are placed in the centre of the car. Usually a driver uses his left hand to control the gear knob. Modern cars, where are usually “floor gears types” are 5 gears models.

Positions of gears, especially 1 – 4 has to be made known to the new driver about to be instructed. “Reverse” gear and 5th gears could be shown to the candidate at a later stage. These 2 gears are recommended to be introduced only at a later stage.

6) Adjusting the Seat. It is extremely important a new learner be shown how to adjust the seat. Normally, there is a “lever” situated below the left hand side of the seat.

Using one’s left hand, pull the lever upwards, sliding the seat forward or backwards until the seating position is most comfortable. The “incline” seating position should also be shown to the new driver.

7) The Controls of the Car – “Clutch”, “Brakes” and “Accelerator”. Positioned below the steering are:

i) the clutch

ii) the brakes

iii) the accelerator

The clutch is controlled using the left leg. To apply the brakes, we use the right leg. Accelerator is solely controlled by the right leg. Once again, remember, the accelerator is to be controlled by the right leg only.

8) The Hand Brakes. To install the hand brake, pull the brake upwards. To release the hand-brakes, first pull it approximately 1 inch upwards, press the knob in front of the brakes, and then release it downwards.

9) The Wipers. Wipers are situated either to the left or right side of the steering. Normally, the wiper has 3 speed – slow, intermittent and fast.

10) The Lights. Consist of Low Beam and High Beam. The lights illuminate the road in front of the car when it is dark.

11) The Ignition Key. The ignition key is situated on the right side of the stalk. Demonstrate to the student that the ignition key has to be cranked or turned 3 movement to the right. Only on the 3rd turn will the car be cranked into starting.

The starting procedure is important. When the engine stalls (dies off), the instructor, sitting on the left, is unable to assist the new driver much. Therefore, it is the new driver himself who has to start the car himself.

When an instructor has completed explaining all the major components of the car to the new driver, his next step is now to begin the process of imparting no nonsense knowledge of driving the vehicle itself.

Driving A Manual Car Guide

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